MY451A Half Unit
Introduction to Quantitative Analysis
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Dr Sally Stares
Availability
This course is available on the Global MSc in Management, Global MSc in Management (CEMS MIM), Global MSc in Management (MBA Exchange), MSc in Applied Social Data Science, MSc in Environmental Policy and Regulation, MSc in European and International Politics and Policy, MSc in European and International Politics and Policy (LSE and Bocconi), MSc in European and International Politics and Policy (LSE and Sciences Po), MSc in Gender (Research), MSc in Gender, Development and Globalisation, MSc in Inequalities and Social Science, MSc in International Migration and Public Policy, MSc in International Migration and Public Policy (LSE and Sciences Po), MSc in International Political Economy (Research), MSc in International Relations (Research), MSc in International Social and Public Policy (Research), MSc in Political Science (Conflict Studies and Comparative Politics), MSc in Public Policy and Administration and MSc in Social Research Methods. This course is freely available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. It does not require permission.
The course is also available to research students as MY551.
This course is not controlled access. If you register for a place and meet the prerequisites, if any, you are likely to be given a place.
Requisites
Mutually exclusive courses:
This course cannot be taken with MY451W at any time on the same degree programme.
Course content
An intensive introduction to quantitative data analysis in the social sciences. The course is intended for students with no previous experience of quantitative methods or statistics. It covers the foundations of descriptive statistics and statistical estimation and inference. At the end of the course students should be able to carry out and interpret a range of data analysis techniques, from univariate and bivariate descriptives to multiple linear regression and binary logistic regression at an introductory level. The seminars and computer exercises give 'hands-on' training in the application of statistical techniques to real social science research problems using the R computer package (no prior knowledge of R is necessary).
Teaching
20 hours of lectures and 9 hours of seminars in the Autumn Term.
2 hours of lectures in the Spring Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn Term.
The course runs twice per year: in AT (MY451A) and again in WT (MY451W). The content of the course, and the method of assessment, is exactly the same in each term.
Formative assessment
Self-guided computer exercises to be completed before weekly classes for discussion and a weekly online quiz.
Indicative reading
A course pack will be available for download online. Additional reading: many introductory statistics books are available. But we particularly recommend Alan Agresti and Christine Franklin (2009) Statistics: The Art and Science of Learning from Data. Pearson Education. Or Alan Agresti and Barbara Finlay (2009, 4th edition) Statistical Methods for the Social Sciences. Pearson Education (note that the second book is more advanced and is particularly useful if you are planning to take MY451 and MY452.
Assessment
Exam (100%), duration: 120 Minutes in the Spring exam period
Key facts
Department: Methodology
Course Study Period: Autumn and Spring Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 132
Average class size 2024/25: 22
Controlled access 2024/25: NoCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Application of numeracy skills
- Specialist skills